Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3151, Luther Dunning, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Dunning Luther
P 3151
CONTENTS

State of New York Jefferson Co Surrogate's Court
Present Lyman H Brown Surrogate
This certifies that satisfactory proof has been furnished before me that Eli L Dunning of the Town of Capricorn is the son of Luther Dunning who was a soldier in the company of Coonaticut Militia commanded by Capt Sanford and in the regiment commanded by Col Sherman
That his father the said Luther Dunning died at Agremont Mass on or near the tenth day of February A D 1835 that his his widow died in the year 1815 that he has three daughters survived him as follows
  Smith Dunning  of New York    Eli L Dunning  Capricorn    Sarah Lewis  Agremont Mass.    Mary Mills  Springfield Mass    Delia Hingeband  Yates Co NY.   Philo Dunning died in the year 1828. —
In testimony whereof I affix the seal of the Surrogate's Court at Watertown NY this tenth day of June A D 1851.
Lyman H Brown Surrogate

Luther Dunning.
17
Further evidence of service waiting -

State of New York County of Columbia
I Eli Dunning of Hudson in the county of State aforesaid being duly sworn say that he is eighty one years of age, and that he is the father of Luther Dunning in the foregoing declaration named. —
That in the month of March 1782, according to this deponent's best recollection the said Luther enlisted, at Brookfield, in Connecticut into the continental service, in Captain Landford's company, in Colonel Swift's regiment, in the Connecticut line for nine months. — He left home and continued absent for about the term of nine months or more, and until the ensuing December, when he returned home.
This deponent has no doubt, that during the above period, the said Luther was employed in the service of his country in the same caps in which he enlisted.
Sworn to before me this 5th day of May 1818
Eli Dunning
Henebiah Dayton
A true copy of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Columbia & State of New York.
State of New York Columbia County Clerk's Office - 3.
I certify that Henebiah Dayton whose name appears to the annexed paper, which I know to be his hand writing is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for Columbia County. Witness my name & the public seal this 5th May 1818
J. Miller Clerk

Luther Burbidge calculation to obtain a Passion
14930 on v
el 75

State of New York Montgomery County 30 on this 19 th day of September -1832 - Personally appeared the
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Montgomery Luther Dunning a resident of the town of Amsterdam in the County of Montgomery aged seventy two years on the twentieth day of April last was being first sworn duly sworn according to law, cloth on his oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he the said Luther Dunning enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1782 - with a under Captain Deyo at Brookfield in Montgomery in the month of March in 1782 - for the term of nine months - Captain Deyo's company belonged to Col. Swift's Regiment in the Continental Line of Continental Troops. He this deponent continued to serve in the same Company Regiment & line as a private soldier from the month of March aforesaid until the December ensuing - & for the full period & time of nine months - when this deponent was discharged at Verplank's Point on the Hudson River - deponent received a written discharge & has long since lost the same - deponent was in active service in service here at West Point and at the fortifications on the Hudson River -

— hole was lieutenant in a civil defense company when upon it was in the den in this department was not engaged in any battles whilst he was in the den — department resided in the town of  town of Brookfield in the county of Franklin of Connecticut when he enlisted — & entered the den as appears since —
In the year 1780 — as department thinks as to the year — he entered the United States den in as a militia man & a private soldier for the month of April & went to Horse neck & served three months when his time of service expired department volunteered to perform some den in a position to keep garrison at the place appears since — department cannot remember the names of any of the officers of the company to which he belonged during this last den in — but he states that whilst engaged in it — many companies were captured & fled — department resided at Brookfield appears since when he the den in last mentioned was performed — department remembers that in Connecticut — once one Northrup & two men by the name of Dibble were present in the company in which the last mentioned den in was performed & resided in Brookfield appears since — department does not know whether any of these men are now living — this department was born in the

town of Brookfield in Connecticut as of record in the year - 1760 - there is an entry made in the Bible now owned by respondent which is at his residence of the age of respondent which he believes to be correct since Bible was owned by respondent's father & died entry as respondent believes was made by him - since the revolution and when respondent has resided at Brookfield as of record a part of the time - from thence he removed to Hudson in Columbia in county State of New York - & removed from Hudson to Amsterdam as of record about thirteen years ago when he has resided since a new residence - respondent refers to the affidavit of Eli Dunning his father who is now deceased, but who's affidavit was taken about fourteen years since and is herunto annexed as the only positive testimony he can adduce to corroborate his statement - respondent refers to Deborah Alland Arthur Smith to whom he is known in his neighborhood as persons who will state their belief in the correctness of this statement - respondent hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to appropriation or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the army of any state
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Geo: D. Torgeson. Clerk.
Luther Dunning

860078 We Caleb Caleb Allen & Arthur Smith residing in the Town of Amsterdam County of Montgomery and State of New-York hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Luther Dunning who has subsisted and sworn to the above certificate that we believe him to be at least twenty two years of age that he is respected & beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a believer of the revolution & we concur in that opinion.
Caleb Allen
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid. Arthur Smith Geo: D. Ferguson, Clerk.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogato- ries presented by the War Department, that the above named Applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as his States. And that Caleb Allen and Arthur Smith who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the Town of Amsterdam in the County aforesaid and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the said Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court on the matter of the application of Luther Dunning for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 29 th September 1832.
Geo: D. Ferguson

18 1/4 930      Ra
Luther Dunning N.Y.
e.i.
M c J. Bovee May 23 1837 Aug. 21, "
Hon. M c J. Bovee, Amsterdam, N.Y. D r Bright agent Amsterdam Montgomery Co. New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
May 17 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Father Brinning of Montgomery & New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 1782 9 Private Capt. Ames Lieut. Col. Col. Swift W. & P. Tanks Point from West Point Brookfield Connecticut aged 22 20 Housatuck Corp. ditto to Army intrep   Volun. 1780 3  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person.

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?  { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, which certifies that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Cutter Dunning & Russell —

I Edmund Dunning of Canaan in Litchfield County and State of Connecticut aged in November next seventy years, do depose and say, that In the Spring of the year 1782, I resided in the Town of Brookfield and County of Fairfield and State aforesaid and in said Spring I entered the service of the United States as a substitute for another man who was drafted to serve for the term of eight months. We marched to the Highlands on the Hudson, and there joined the Army, where we remained a short time, and then proceeded to Verplank's Point, where we remained during the season, and at the approach of Winter we returned to West Point our winter quarters, where we staid till my term of service expired, which was as near as I recollect about the latter part of December, and I was then discharged and returned home. I belonged to a Company Commanded by Capt Samuel Sanford, and Lieut. Cole. Our Regiment was Commanded by Col. Sherman our Major's name was Troup.
I have a perfect recollection that at the time I entered the service of the United States as aforesaid, one Luther Dunning a Cousin of the Deponent, who then lived in said Brookfield and now lives in Amsterdam in Montgomery County and State of New York, was drafted from a militia Company to which he belonged in said Brookfield, for the same term that I served, and proceeded with me to join the Army, and was placed in the same Company with me during the same term, and was discharged having served eight months, in the same company. I have been acquainted with said Luther Dunning, from my youth, and have this day seen him, and I know him to be the same man who was in the service with me as aforesaid.
Edmund Dunning
State of Connecticut } County of Litchfield } Probate District of Sharon.
On this 22 nd day of January 1834 at a Court of Probate held at Canaan within and for the District of Sharon, Personally appeared Edmund Dunning in open Court, and having been first duly sworn according to Law, subscribed the foregoing

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
3/57
P. O.
Luther Dunning
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

N. York
Luther Dunning
Letter to M. J. Bovee 17. April 38
to same 12. May '38.
Let to F. C. Hassler Oct 15/38
F. E. Hasler Feb 5/51
(Hasler's authority re- newed. See letter.)
J. B. Brown Nov 4/51
Let same May 28/52.
Act 7. June 1832.

Feb 11 - 1857
Respectfully S. E. Halsler
W. L. Dunning Lake Vincent N. H. War Department
J. G.
ERD

Feb 11 - 1857
Respectfully S. C.
Halalem
Passions
L. Primm
Capt Vincent
Q.M.
Office
War Department
Washington
D. C.
FREE

Feb 13th 1852
Add. rev case Quaker Dunkling deal
Dear Brother H. P. ...
Yours sincerely Benjamin ... Washington D.C.

Feb 13th 1882
Addl. evi. case Dunkirk NY
Robert Baker
Misses Mary
FREE
James E. Heath Commodore Washington D.C.

The deposition of Edmund Dunning of Canaan County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut now Eighty Seven years of age testifies and saith That he went into the War of the Revolution in the spring of Seventeen Hundred and Eighty two and was under the command of Captain Sanford and Colonel Shermans Regiment that I continued in the service for the period of Eight months and for which service I hold a pension certificate from the pension department of the United States since the 4 th March 1831 and have ever since that period and do now continue to draw from the United States, at the rate of twenty four dollars and fifty five cents per Annum on said certificate That my cousin Luther Dunning formerly of Litchfield County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut with whom I was well acquainted went into the the service with me and served in the same Company and Regiment with me almost the whole time of service as aforesaid that when I was discharged from the Army at the expiration of my time said Luther was gone home on furlough and I always understood that he served out his time, and that I know no reason why said Luther or his heirs were not as well entitled to a pension as myself that our service aforesaid was principally performed in the Highlands upon the Hudson River at West- Point and at Verplank's Point all in the State of New York And further deponent saith not
Edmund Dunning
Litchfield County ss Canaan January 10 th 1852 Personally appeared Edmund Dunning subscriber to the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me.
Miles J. Granger

Judge of the Court of Probate within & for the district of Litchfield & State of Connecticut, In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Litchfield day & date as above written.
Miles T. Granger Judge
District of Litchfield ss. Probate Court. Jan'y. 10, 1852 I Henry Chapin Clerk of said Court of Probate within and for the said District of Litchfield hereby certify that Miles T. Granger is Judge of said Court & that his signature & seal hereunto affixed are genuine
Henry Chapin

Amsterdam September 7. 1839
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send the Papers of Luther Depeyster which will be ex- -cused in their order and a report made to me
I am yours respectfully
Matthias J. Bleecker
Wm J. L. Edwards

Washington City D.C. October 1832.
Sir
Enclosed I hand you a letter received by me from Eli L. Dunning of Cape Vincent requesting me to ascertain facts relative to the papers of his late father, Luther Dunning presented to the Department in 1833. or 1834. By causing an examination to be made into the subject of this letter at an early date, & informing me of the result of the same you will confer a favor upon a poor man who was compelled to support his aged father from his daily earnings, at the same time as can be conclusively proven he should have received some aid from the Government, You will please return the enclosed & oblige yours
Respectfully Ferdinand C. Wassler

Letter of James N Bower Evans Mills, Ny to James O Heath in the case of the heirs Luther Dunning Dec d applicant for his Pension as a Revolutionary Soldier, with additional proof.
Adolphus
Evans Mills, Jeff Co Ny

Evans Mills Feby 6 1882
Hon James E Heath Comm of Pensions Washington D.C. Sir
Enclosed I send to you the proof of Luther Dunning's service by Edward Dunning and request you in the acknowledgment of its receipt to state what other evidence is still wanting to establish the claim Vrendendale, Ohio
Yours very Respectfully
James H Bowen
Atty for heir. of Luther Dunning E. Dunning & others

Washington City D.C. November. 9 th 1830
Col. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Present
Sir
In reply to your letter of the 15 th October 1830 enclosing one addressed to the Hon. M. J. Bovee in May 1838 I find that by the peculiar, stringent, Vin. Revolutionary cases oppressive rule" denying a personal inspection of the proofs filed many years previous. I am compelled to ask two questions touching the evidence filed in the pension case of Luther Dunning a Revolutionary soldier in Capt. Sandfords Company, Col. Swifts Regiment of the line in 1782. Does he produce any witness or witnesses, who swear to the fact derived from their own knowledge that he (Luther Dunning) served in the Revolutionary War? If so, what more proof is required? It is necessary for me to know these facts, in order that the deficiency in proof may be remedied. I have in accordance with your instructions contained in your letter to the Hon. M. J. Bovee written to the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut and in his reply he says "I do not

find the name of Luther Dunning," and no wonder when he states "our militia Rolls after 1775 are very defective." — In this state of the case it appears to me that the spirit of the Pension Laws requires that the Department should in this case reply to the queries I now propound to it.
I am Sir respectfully,
Frederick A. Hassler

Cape Vincent Jeff. Co., Feb 4. 1851
Dear Sir
I wish hereby to inform the department that Mr. F. E. Hassler is not authorized to receive the money on (my father) Luther Dunning's claim for revolutionary services should it be allowed
Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt,
Eli L. Dunning

Whit. Feb 8 D.C.
FREE
Dear J. L. Edwards Pension board Washington D.C.

Amsterdam Februy 3. 1838
Dear Sir
It is a long time since I received the papers in the case of William Green I should be pleased to hear from you it also in the case of Luther Leaming & Mrs Green - Widow Johnson & Frank Hop-
yours respectfully
Matthias J. Bane
Wm J. L. Edwards

in at apt 30
L. Dunning -
Miss J. L. Edwards Dunsmuir Court Washington D.C.

L. Dunning -
in at ap. 30
W. H. J. L. Edwards Dunsmuir Court Washington D.C.

Amsterdam April 27. 1838
Dear Sir
I wish a more particular report in the case of Luther Dunning
I am yours respectfully
Matthias J. Bane
Hon. J. L. Edwards

application of Eli L Dunning for the Pension of his father Luther Dunning a Revolutionary Soldier
Presented by James H Brown Evans Mills Jefferson

Know all men by these Presents, That I Eli L Danning of Cape Vincent  Jefferson Co NY have constituted and appointed, and by these presents do constitute and appoint JAMES H. BOWEN, of Evans Mills, Jefferson county, N. Y., my true and lawful Attorney, irrevocably, with power of substitution for me and in my name, place and stead, to ask and receive of and from the United States any Bounty Land, Extra Pay, Pensions, Patents, Money or Moneys that now is or are due to me on account of services rendered, disbursements made, or expenses incurred by Luther Danning while in the service of the United States, or on any other account whatsoever, and in my name to give receipts and other sufficient discharges, for such Bounty Land, Extra pay, Pensions, Patents, and money due as aforesaid, and to attend to and prosecute any and all business of whatever nature I may have with or before any of the Departments of Government or Congress, and, generally, to do any and every other act or acts, that I might or could do, were I personally present at the doing thereof; hereby ratifying and confirming whatever my said Attorney shall do in and about the premises by virtue hereof, divers good causes and valuable considerations, me thereunto moving.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 2 nd day of June 1851
Signed, sealed and delivered } Two in presence of } witnesses. James F. Skinner. Wm R Steele
Eli L Danning { SEAL.
State of New York, } ss. On this 2 nd day of June 1851 County of Jefferson } ss. personally appeared Eli L Danning ————— act and deed for the before me, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his ————— purposes therein contained
Samuel Skinner J. P. { SEAL.
State of New York, } ss. I hereby certify, That Samuel Skinner Esq., County of Jefferson } ss. before whom the foregoing acknowledgment was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Jefferson County Court this 5 th day of June one thousand eight hundred and fifty one Isaac Munson Clerk.

To the Honble James M. Heath Commr of Pensions.
Evansville, Ind. July 31 1851
Washington D.C.
Herewith you will please receive an application of Eli S Dunning for information re upon the subject of his Father's Pension he has an affidavit from the cousin Edmond Dunning who served with his father & as it is susceptible of proof he hopes he may receive such information as there may be upon record in the Pension Office & he will then proceed to obtain the balance,
Very Respectfully I am Your obed Servt
Sister Dunning Sold in on the Rev. War Loan Muhlen
James M. Bowen

Dunning

State of New York Jefferson County } on this 2 nd day of June A.D. 1851. Personally appeared before me James H Bowen a Notary Public in & for the said county & state Eli L Dunning aged 61 years who being duly sworn according to Law declares that he is a resident of the town of Lake Vincant Jefferson Co NY that he is the son of Luther Dunning who was a soldier in the company commanded by Captain Ganford in the regiment of Connecticut Militia commanded by Col. Sherman, In the Revolutionary War that his father the said Luther Dunning was drafted for the term of eight months, & served out his time and was honorably discharged that he made preliminary arrangements previous to his death for obtaining a pension and was prevented from presenting the evidence by one cause and another until he on account of baseness troubles was attacked with & became insane that his father's cousin Edmond Dunning served in the same company & time and is now drawing a pension & resides in Canaan Conn. He therefore makes this application for the purpose of obtaining a report from the proper department with reference to the proof that the rolls may furnish & also to obtain the pension that may be due to him as the son of his father, he is led to suppose that the rolls will show his father's name as Asa Edmond Dunning now in receipt of a pension for the same service — Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year Eli L Dunning above writing — James H Bowen Notary Public.